Why the Reformation Still Matters

What is the legacy of the Reformation? The contention of this book is that, although it left its mark on history, the real impact of the Reformation was upon doctrine. And this is precisely the aspect of it which is in greatest danger of being overlooked as we enter upon 2017 - exactly 500 years since Martin Luther nailed up the 95 theses. In successive chapters, with a historian's analysis and a pastor's application, doctrines hammered out during that remarkable period of history such as on sin and justification, the church and the sacraments, as well as the Holy Spirit and everyday life are revisited. The Reformers' insights into scripture teaching prove invaluable to today's Christian, and as the authors sum up: 'The only way the Reformation could possibly not still matter would be if beauty, goodness, truth, joy and human flourishing no longer mattered. We have been made to enjoy God, but without the great truths the Reformers fought for that display him as glorious and enjoyable we shall not do so. Seeing less of him, we shall be lesser and sadder. Seeing more of him, we shall be fuller and happier.'
Why the Reformation Still Matters by Michael Reeves & Tim Chester, published by IVP, £9.99

The Mighty Weakness of John Knox

We can often feel like pygmys in comparison to 'the measure of the stature of Christ' that some in the past attained to. But a good thing about 'A Long Line of Godly Men Profile' series from Reformation Trust (attached to Ligonier Ministries) is that it is designed to inspire. It is not eulogy disguised as biography. The lives of men like John Knox are studied to see the grace that was with them, and to point to their God - the ever living God. Douglas Bond has chosen to focus helpfully upon what he terms 'the mighty weakness' of Knox. That is, he was not a man who left sins and infirmities behind when he was born again, proceeding from strength to strength in a victorious life. No, out of fear he at first even refused to preach; he endured frail health all his days (although once spending months as a French galley slave!); and he had low views of himself and did not seek prominence. However, he fervently desired that Christ might be magnified among his fellow countrymen, and in prayer and preaching he laboured to that end. 'Out of weakness he was made strong.' He resembled the apostle Paul: 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' Bond turns the spotlight upon Knox's power in a series of chapters on his submission to Christ and his word, prayer, preaching, writing, keynote doctrine (predestination), and pastoral care. But a glimpse into the greatness of Knox's spirit is seen in his attribution of the wonderful success of the Scottish Reformation: 'God gave his Holy Spirit in great abundance to simple men.' Oh for more such men!

The Mighty Weakness of John Knox published by Reformation Trust is a £12.99 quality hardback with dustjacket.

The Thunder - A Novel on John Knox

Douglas Bond's fiction is for the 21st Century what G A Henty's was for the Victorian era.  Only, Bond is directly Reformed in his underlying theology, whereas Henty went no further than good, clean morality.  But both are similar in attention to detail when it comes to history, so much so that the storyline and fictional characters are not given the depth of treatment that a 'mere' novelist would do.  This however turns into a virtue rather than a vice, in that it allows the history to percolate through very easily and clearly.  Bond is particularly good in this book on John Knox and the Scots Reformation at weaving verbatim material from sermons and letters etc into the story.  Knox shows up here (from the beatific depiction on the front cover onwards!) as a bold and fearless man.  But also, contrary to legend, we learn that he was physically unimposing and pastorally tender to his beloved countrymen.  Whether loved or hated, he cannot be ignored in understanding not only the Reformation in Scotland, but in England also because of his contact with Edward VI and Hugh Latimer. The influence of John Calvin on him when in exile at Geneva was marked, but he had come to deeply 'calvinistic' doctrines before that, under God's teaching, and proclaimed them.

This is profitable holiday reading by my reckoning, and Bond builds an interesting gospel analogy into the plot which is a bonus.
Jeremy
The Thunder - A novel on John Knox, by Douglas Bond.
Published by P & R, p/b £9.99
Read a sample chapter

Martin Luther

I just noticed this Martin Luther quote on my calendar

'We no more earn heaven by good works than babies earn their food and drink by crying and howling'

It sounds like classic 'no beating about the bush' Luther to me & made me smile because I have just spent the last hour immersed in Luther's commentary on Galatians and it is full of comments like this. Our online ladies reading club is coming to the end of this commentary on Galatians, it has taken us over a year to steadily work through, but I for one have enjoyed getting to grips with this incredible author who went through so much in his efforts to reform the church. He is amazingly easy to read so don't be put off trying him out.  If you fancy joining our reading club please let me know... we will shortly be choosing a new book to tackle so this would be a good point to get involved.
Lorna

February 3 for 2

The February offer is up and running - it's a good one, so you may need to run to catch it! All of the 'Great Classics Series' by Grace Publications are being sold on a '3 for the price of 2' offer. This series covers a good range of the writings of the Reformers and Puritans in abridged and simplified editions. The prices are good too - the cheapest being £2.50 and the most expensive only reaching as high as £5.95. Read our February Bulletin and you will see the full list of titles available in this series.

Lorna